On climate change…
CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Edwin Carrington said, on Monday last, that there needs to be a unified global position on climate change.

Consequently, he said the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), starting in Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow, can serve as the catalyst for unification of such a group, ahead of the important December Copenhagen summit in Denmark.

He made the suggestion at a briefing he hosted, in the CARICOM Secretariat, to outline the regional input at CHOGM, which is themed ‘Partnering for a more Equitable and Sustainable Future’.

Noting the fact that some non-Commonwealth Leaders will be among the delegates at Copenhagen, Carrington said their presence indicates the importance of the forum.

In addition to the Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth of Britain, other confirmed attendees are French President Nicholas Sarkosy; United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon and Danish President Lars Lokke Rassmussen, who has been engaged in efforts to secure support for a politically binding deal at the UN climate change summit, next month; British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, South African President Jacob Zuma and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Other major items on the agenda, which climate change expects to dominate, include the global economic situation with particular emphasis on its impact on small and vulnerable States; reform of the international institutions; youth; Commonwealth values and enhanced membership of it to include Rwanda.

The Youth Forum, jointly organised by the Commonwealth Youth Exchange and the Commonwealth Youth Programme, started November 21 and ends tomorrow.

Among its objectives are the development of young people’s understanding of the Commonwealth and its values; the creation of a platform for young people to contribute to Commonwealth and CHOGM agendas and the promotion of networking and interchange between young people and their organisations.

LEAD VOICE
Carrington, reiterating the importance of CARICOM playing its part in discussions relating to climate change, reminded that President Bharrat Jagdeo, the current Chairman, has been a lead voice in it globally, emphasising the issue of reduced emissions on deforestation and degradation (REDD ).

Carrington also recalled Prime Minister Manning saying, in New York last September 22, that CHOGM may be the last such forum before Copenhagen.

Carrington said, of significant importance to CARICOM at CHOGM 2009, would be if the grouping can succeed in getting the developed countries to provide financial transfers for the region’s mitigation, as well as knowledge for it and adaptation, as part of a package, along with standing forest support.

As of yesterday, CARICOM has five requests for bilaterals, with the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, South Africa and Canada and the International Financial Corporation (IFC).

Carrington said, in each case where the countries have advanced their agendas, the issues of climate change and the global economic situation were included.

But there is still some uncertainty, as to whether the IFC, which has an interest in developing the Private Sector, will, indeed, attend.

Carrington said Australia had, earlier, indicated its willingness to forge relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, while there is also a desire by South Africa to create a union with CARICOM and CHOGM will be the first opportunity for CARICOM leaders to meet South African President Zuma.

As it relates to the UK, Carrington said CARICOM will definitely seek to hear from Prime Minister Brown about the British travel tax issue.

On the proposed discussions with Canada, he reminded of the rekindled relationship brokered by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the recent trade negotiations, as well as a proposal for a CARICOM/Canada Summit, apart from the likelihood of a G8 Summit on Canadian soil.

Meanwhile, Carrington will, this morning, speak at the Commonwealth Business Forum, which 800 delegates are scheduled to attend